ESA calls on Liechtenstein to meet recycling target for wooden packaging waste

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today issued a letter of formal notice to Liechtenstein for failing to meet the recycling target for wooden packaging waste.

Under EEA rules, Liechtenstein must meet binding targets for the collection and recycling of waste. These targets have become progressively more ambitious to support the transition to a circular economy.

Liechtenstein was required to recycle at least 15% of its wood packaging waste by 2008, but the most recent reporting concerning the year 2023 shows no recycling of such waste. ESA is also examining whether the country's waste reporting meets EEA legal requirements and may revisit additional targets once this assessment is completed.

Liechtenstein must take the necessary measures to ensure compliance and may draw on the country-specific recommendations set out in ESA's Early Warning Report . This will also be important to ensure compliance with the amended EEA waste legislation targets for 2025, 2030 and 2035.

This approach mirrors that of the European Commission, which, following its own Early Warning Report, has opened infringement proceedings against all 27 EU Member States for failing to comply with one or more of the recycling targets .

Having assessed the information provided by Liechtenstein, ESA considers that, by failing to take the necessary measures to attain the recycling target for wood packaging waste, Liechtenstein has failed to fulfil its obligations under the EEA Agreement.

A letter of formal notice is the first step in an infringement procedure against an EEA EFTA State. Liechtenstein now has two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised, before ESA decides whether to take the case further.

Read ESA ' s decisions here .

For further information, please contact: